Virginia Union University's Hayden Garcia, a member of the VUU Golf Team, has been selected Salutatorian of the 2022 Virginia Union University Graduating Class.

Garcia, a senior from Cape Town, South Africa, is majoring in Biology and has a 4.01 grade point average.  He will be honored at the 2022 VUU Commencement on Saturday, May 7, in Hovey Stadium.

"To be selected as salutatorian is a great honor that I never thought I would have achieved," Garcia said.  "This means a lot to me and my family."

On the golf course, Garcia was named to the All-CIAA Tournament Team in 2022 by finishing tied for fourth in the CIAA Championship.

He was Tournament Medalist and a member of the All-Tournament team by placing first individually at the 2022 CIAA Northern Division Championship.

At the 2022 IACW Student-Athlete Awards Banquet, Garcia was named Team Medalist for the 2021-22 season.

An although Garcia will be walking at the Commencement, his academic and athletic career are far from over.

"I plan on pursuing my Masters' Degree in Data Analytics and also play another year of golf here at Virginia Union," Garcia said.

After that time is over, Garcia said he plans to become a professional golfer.

"This is a dream that I've always had," he said, noting that his hero is pro golfer Ernie Els.

"I grew up with (Els') nephew," Garcia said.  "I just admired the way he composed himself on the golf course.  It always spoke to me, and off the golf course he's a really nice guy.  He's always there for the fans, and always willing to speak to you.  He's just a really good person."

VUU fans will still have one more year to watch Garcia pursue his dream.